May 16 2012
My Second Camel Ride, Apache Camel That Is!
This post is a follow-up to first
post on using Apache Camel. As I mentioned in that talk, my next exercise
is to use the SFTP component to
automatically fetch the files for me. As
I started testing, I realized that I was going to need to handle multiple
files, so I started looking at the how I was going to handle that in
Camel. Initially, I thought, why not
just use the route I previously created:
May 15 2012
Death to PowerPoint: Data Visualization – A New Consulting Tool
As consultants we create and present an illegal number of PowerPoints, in part because it is a reliable and effective tool that we’ve become highly skilled at but also because it is the client’s preferred method of receiving information. Presentations used to be set apart for helping executives make important decisions. Now we spend most of our day sitting through presentations on status and having various pieces of information presented to us in bullet point format. Using PowerPoint as your primary method of sharing information dulls the effectiveness of the tool and bores your audience to tears. So what is a better method to effectively present information?
Source (http://markandrewgoetz.com)
May 14 2012
What is the value of your privacy?
Recently, a group of my CapTech colleagues met to discuss “Privacy and Big Data” by Terence Craig and Mary E. Ludloff. A common theme throughout this discussion was the ethical use of personal data.
May 11 2012
Best Practices for Managing a Shut Down
If you are in business or projects for more than a few years, it is inevitable you are involved in an unfortunate event when a major business line, product, service, or project is shut down. These events are never fun and are most challenging to management. Team members are disappointed with the ending, they are uncomfortable with ambiguity, and they are unenthusiastic to continue their jobs and work on the shut down. Management must take great care to take care of customers, employees, and other stakeholders. Following are a few best practices to consider to effectively terminate operations.
May 10 2012
Lean and Six Sigma: Two Peas is a Process Engineering Pod
Historically, both the Six Sigma and Lean methodologies have existed to serve the purpose of improving the operational effectiveness in a variety of businesses. In the past, they have stood alone as methodologies. The current trend is to combine Six Sigma and Lean, providing a greater toolset from which operational waste can be identified, measured, and improved. Though the concepts behind Six Sigma and Lean are different, the two can, and arguably should, be used jointly.
Six Sigma Reduces Variability
The goal of Six Sigma is to reduce the variability in a process in order to deliver practically defect-free products and services. Six Sigma relies heavily on statistical analysis to achieve gains in quality and typically has a direct impact to the bottom line. The Six Sigma methodology has a ‘scientific method-like’ approach called DMAIC, which stands for: